UConn Offensive Line Still Under Scrutiny For Poor Run Game

STORRS — So what was the issue for UConn's offensive line this week? The running game remains a problem.

The Huskies rushed for only 47 yards in the 24-21 loss to Michigan Saturday night, 34 against Maryland the week before, and they were outgained 201-81 in the loss to Division I-AA Towson.

UConn, averaging 54 yards, is 122nd of 123 teams in Division I-A. Only Florida International (0-4), averaging 48, is worse. The 25 rushes against the Wolverines were the fewest for the Huskies this season.

UConn (0-3) has its first road game at Buffalo (1-2) on Saturday when the teams meet for the 21st time. UConn has dominated this series 16-4 and has won 12 of the past 13, but the Bulls have been pesky of late. Last season, UConn won 24-17 and 17-3 in 2011 in Amherst, N.Y.

"I think one of the things you have to look at is how many runs were called and how many runs averaged over 4 yards in the Michigan game," George DeLeone, UConn's offensive line and assistant head coach, said Tuesday. "Our percentage of the number of runs called and the number of runs that made over 4 yards improved. So I look at it as progress. Now when you're running the ball as many times as we are you're going to have to have some runs break out for 20 yards, 30 yards to get going. Michigan had averaged giving up 70 or 80 yards going into the game so there were some victories, some improvements. The point is, we've got to do a better job with the runs that are called. That's the bottom line."

What about sacks? Chandler Whitmer has been sacked 14 times.

"Sacks are disappointing," DeLeone said. "Sacks sometimes are involved with the line. Sometimes it's the backs, sometimes it the quarterback. Sometimes it's the receivers. It's a team function but the line sacks are the line's fault."

Passing To McCombs

Junior tailback Lyle McCombs has shown that he can be a dependable receiver, and he caught a flare Saturday for a 7-yard touchdown that put UConn up 14-7 in the second quarter.

He can also play special teams. He'll do what the coaches tell him, he said, but McCombs wants to do more.

"I think I have good hands out of the backfield," said McCombs, who had career highs in receptions (24) and receiving yards (230) last season. "I can make guys miss in space. I wish I could contribute on special teams, as a returner maybe."

McCombs has rushed for 167 yards on 44 carries and caught 11 passes for 39 yards this season.

"Sometimes I'm not being patient enough. I make the wrong reads at times trying to make the big play because we're plugging at this run game. I can't put the blame on anybody else. If there is a problem in the run game it's with me. I have to look in the mirror at the end of the day, see what I'm doing right, see what I'm doing wrong and keep working. The guys up front are working their behinds off. I'm not going to put any blame on them."

While Max DeLorenzo (nine carries, 30 yards) and Martin Hyppolite (two, eight) are capable, McCombs is considered the more well-rounded back.

Whitmer Still No. 1

Coach Paul Pasqualoni didn't sound like a guy who was ready to replace Chandler Whitmer (61 of 105, 714, five touchdowns, four interceptions) just yet. Whitmer has thrown 19 interceptions in 15 games, a scary statistic.

The interception against Michigan in the second half changed the game and helped the Wolverines draw to 21-21 after the Huskies held a 14-point lead early in the third quarter.

"I'd like to see the approach that Chandler took after Geremy [Davis' touchdown] was replayed and taken back," Pasqualoni said. "So what happens? We make this great play and they rule it's a no-catch. In a game like that it's a pretty big play. We come back on the sideline and Chandler had a great look. They're replaying this thing and I'm saying to myself 'Let's get ready for the next play.' He's got a great look in his eye. We all know what happened. We got to a third down and we make a play [an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Spencer Parker tying the score at 7]. That type of fire, that type of toughness mentally, come back and let's go after it, I'd like to see that every single series."